Fulong Temple Introduction
The history of Fulong Temple in Kehu Village, Zhudong Township dates back to the Daoguang period of the Qing Dynasty, specifically in the year 1834. The Tamsui local magistrate, Li Siyuan, was authorized to leverage the resources of Jiang Xiulan from Guangdong to cultivate the southeastern mountain area of Zhuzhen. With official funding of 1,000 taels of silver, local residents like Zhou Bangzheng also participated in the cultivation efforts. A communal initiative was formed, known as "Jin Guang Fu" for official resources and "Keng Hao" for local residents, primarily consisting of people from Fujian and Guangdong. The Kehu area, surrounded by mountains and dense forests, posed a defensive challenge for the indigenous people. Instead of entering Kehu directly, they approached from the triangle city known as "Xi Xian Cai Xi Weng," attacking areas like Shuqilin. One night, the indigenous people were alarmed by the sight of three kings descending from the sky and retreated without a fight. An elderly woman was left behind in the settlement. Later, Han Chinese entered Kehu and learned through legend that the Three Mountain Kings had manifested to build a humble temple in this area to worship them, referred to as "Wang Ye Temple." The land was not divided among Jiang and Zhou clans, who agreed to maintain the temple for incense offerings. During the Japanese occupation, the temple was known as a communal enterprise. Han Chinese cultivated rice paddies in this fertile area, isolated from seasonal winds, supported by clear streams conducive to farming. As a result, the population flourished owing to the divine protection. However, in 1895, during the Japanese invasion, local residents organized to resist. Old fortifications were established on nearby hills, and the Japanese forces, angered by local resistance, attacked Kehu and burned the Wang Ye Temple along with nearby villages. After the conflict ended, the temple was rebuilt through public donations in 1897, with a brick structure replacing the original. In 1934, the statue of the Three Mountain Kings was refurbished. The temple drew throngs each day, especially during the Taiwanese Retrocession in 1945, when it was renamed Fulong Temple. Over time, the building suffered from wear and tear, prompting a renovation effort that established the first management committee in 1981. In 1990, the temple organized a pilgrimage to sites such as Meizhou Mazu Temple and Nanshan Temple, which included the honoring of the King’s fragrant incense burner. A celebratory ritual was successfully held over five days, praying for favorable weather and national peace.
